Carol Burnett and her legendary cast had an incredible gift for turning even the simplest skits into laugh-out-loud comedy gold. The Carol Burnett Show ran for 11 seasons from 1967 to 1978, giving us some of the most hilarious moments in television history. Whether it was Tim Conway cracking up his co-stars, Vicki Lawrence delivering a perfect zinger, or Carol Burnett herself turning an ordinary situation into comedic brilliance, the show never failed to bring the laughs. Here are 15 of the funniest moments from The Carol Burnett Show, ranked.
1. “Went With the Wind!”
It’s impossible to talk about The Carol Burnett Show without mentioning Went With the Wind!, the show’s legendary Gone With the Wind parody. In this sketch, Burnett played Starlett O’Hara, who dramatically descended a staircase wearing a homemade curtain dress—complete with the curtain rod still attached. The sight gag alone was enough to bring down the house, but the real punch came when Burnett, in her best Southern belle voice, deadpanned: “I saw it in the window and I just couldn’t resist it.” The audience erupted, and the moment became one of the most iconic in TV history. That infamous dress even has a place of honor in the National Museum of American History.
Everything about this sketch—from the ridiculous costume to the perfect comedic timing—was unforgettable. Burnett’s commitment to the joke, combined with the show’s signature over-the-top parody style, made this one of the most celebrated comedy moments of all time. Even now, decades later, it’s still cited as one of the funniest bits in television history. This sketch didn’t just spoof Gone With the Wind—it became just as legendary in its own right.
2. “The Dentist”
One of the most famous sketches ever, The Dentist featured Tim Conway as an inexperienced dentist treating a nervous patient played by Harvey Korman. The trouble starts when Conway accidentally injects himself with Novocain, numbing his own hand—and then his leg. What follows is pure physical comedy as Conway struggles to control his own body, flailing around in increasingly ridiculous ways. Korman, completely helpless in the dentist’s chair, tries to stay in character but eventually breaks down in uncontrollable laughter. According to MeTV, the genius Conway would save his improvisation for live tapings.
Watching Conway slap himself in the face with his own numb hand is one of the most replayed moments in Carol Burnett Show history. Even though Korman desperately tried to keep a straight face, he couldn’t hold it together, and that only made the sketch funnier. Conway’s ability to stretch out a simple joke into an extended bit of comedy genius was unmatched. To this day, The Dentist remains a shining example of what made this show so special.
3. “The Fire Drill – The Family”
The Mama’s Family sketches were always a highlight, but this fire drill episode took things to another level. The setup was simple: Mama, Eunice (Carol Burnett), and Ed (Harvey Korman) were supposed to be practicing a safety drill, but instead, they turned the entire thing into a chaotic mess. Instead of calmly exiting the house, the family devolves into a screaming, panicked disaster, making everything worse. Vicki Lawrence, as Mama, delivered the best line of the night when she snapped at the others for their ridiculous behavior. KCRW reports that the hole show was apparently very educational for Lawrence in multiple ways.
What made it even funnier was that Lawrence was the youngest cast member, yet she completely commanded the scene. Watching Burnett and Korman fall apart as she delivered a perfectly timed scolding only made it more hilarious. This sketch was one of the most memorable Mama’s Family moments and proved just how strong the ensemble’s comedic chemistry was. Lawrence, in particular, stole the show, making it one of the greatest moments in the show’s history.
4. Tim Conway’s Elephant Story – Outtakes
Some of the funniest moments on The Carol Burnett Show weren’t even scripted, and Tim Conway’s infamous “elephant story” is proof. During a sketch where the cast played game show contestants, Conway decided to go completely off-script and tell an elaborate, ridiculous story about Siamese twin elephants joined at the trunk. The way he described them trying to drink water and sneezing at the same time sent the cast into hysterics. Harvey Korman, in particular, completely lost it, eventually sliding off the couch in uncontrollable laughter. MeTV notes that the show really allowed Conway to exercise artistic freedom, to his great enjoyment.
Even better, Conway refused to let up, dragging the story out longer just to see how much he could push his co-stars. At one point, Vicki Lawrence, fed up with how long it was going on, delivered an ad-libbed line that had the entire cast—and the audience—roaring with laughter. This moment has since become one of the most famous outtakes in TV history. It was the perfect example of why Conway was such a comedy legend—he knew exactly how to make everyone lose it.
5. The Butler Scene – “The Butler and the Maid”
This classic sketch featured Tim Conway as a butler who, after years of loyal service, had finally slowed to a crawl. His movements were agonizingly slow, whether he was pouring a drink or answering a question. Harvey Korman, playing his frustrated employer, grew increasingly exasperated as Conway stretched out every action to unbearable lengths. It was yet another case of Conway using timing and body language to make a simple gag last far longer than anyone thought possible.
The highlight came when Conway, moving at a snail’s pace, attempted to pour a drink but took so long that Korman had to physically move the glass for him. Watching Korman try to keep a straight face as Conway milked every second was what made it so funny. Conway had a way of making time itself feel like the punchline, and this sketch proved just how brilliant he was at it. It’s a masterclass in stretching out a joke for maximum effect.
6. Mr. Tudball’s Security System
Tim Conway’s portrayal of the uptight, heavily accented Mr. Tudball always delivered laughs, and this sketch was one of his best. Concerned about the security of his office, he installs an elaborate alarm system meant to keep burglars out. Unfortunately, thanks to his ever-confused secretary, Mrs. Wiggins (Carol Burnett), the system causes more problems than it solves. Between Conway’s deadpan frustration and Burnett’s clueless responses, the scene builds into a classic case of comedic disaster.
One of the funniest moments comes when Mr. Tudball gets caught in his own security trap, setting off an ear-piercing siren. Watching him try to maintain his usual forced patience while Mrs. Wiggins stares blankly at him is absolute gold. Conway’s exaggerated accent and Burnett’s perfect timing made these characters a fan favorite throughout the show’s run. This sketch was a perfect example of their chemistry and why they worked so well together.
7. The Pail on the Foot – “The Oldest Man: The Hospital”
Tim Conway’s beloved “Oldest Man” character was a masterclass in slow, deliberate physical comedy, and this hospital sketch was one of his best. Playing a painfully slow-moving orderly, Conway managed to turn even the simplest movements into an agonizing—and hysterical—ordeal. His attempts to help Harvey Korman’s injured patient became increasingly ridiculous, culminating in a moment where he gets a bucket stuck on his foot. The harder he tries to get it off, the worse it gets, leading to one of the longest, most frustratingly funny struggles ever seen on the show.
What made it even better was watching Korman desperately try (and fail) to hold in his laughter. Conway’s dedication to making every movement slower and more ridiculous than the last was pure genius. Even after all these years, watching him shuffle around in frustration remains one of the funniest examples of physical comedy ever seen on television. If patience is a virtue, watching this scene proves that Korman had none left by the end.
8. The Grocery Store Checkout
In this unforgettable sketch, Carol Burnett played a clueless grocery store cashier who moved at a glacial pace, testing the patience of a frazzled customer played by Tim Conway. Each item scanned turned into a production, with Burnett either pricing it incorrectly, stopping for small talk, or fumbling with the register. Conway, usually the one causing chaos, was instead playing the straight man, growing increasingly desperate as Burnett’s character found new ways to slow things down.
The sketch built and built, with each delay more absurd than the last, culminating in one of the greatest slow burns in The Carol Burnett Show history. Conway’s frustrated expressions and Burnett’s innocent, clueless act made the perfect combination. Anyone who’s ever been stuck in a slow-moving checkout line could relate, which made it even funnier. By the time Conway finally lost it, so had the audience.
9. The Makeover Scene – “The Family”
The Mama’s Family sketches were filled with hilarious moments, but this one—where Eunice gets a beauty makeover—was a standout. Carol Burnett’s Eunice character, always hoping to be glamorous, gets an over-the-top beauty treatment that goes completely wrong. The end result is a disaster, leaving her looking worse than when she started. Vicki Lawrence, as Mama, delivers a perfectly timed insult that sends the entire scene into comic overdrive.
The real magic of this sketch was watching Burnett’s increasingly horrified reactions as her makeover spiraled out of control. Korman, as her husband, tries his best to reassure her but only makes things worse. Lawrence’s ability to cut through the drama with a single zinger was what made her such a powerhouse. It was a perfect example of how The Carol Burnett Show could turn an ordinary situation into absolute comedic gold.
10. The Pregnant Lady on the Bus
In one of Carol Burnett’s greatest physical comedy performances, she played an extremely pregnant woman trying to navigate a crowded bus. Every attempt to find a seat resulted in another mishap, with Burnett’s exaggerated expressions and body language making each moment funnier than the last. The other passengers, completely oblivious to her struggles, either ignored her or made things worse. By the time she finally found a seat, it was too late—the baby was coming.
Burnett’s ability to take a simple concept and turn it into a full-fledged comedy masterpiece was on full display in this sketch. Her physical movements, facial expressions, and sheer commitment to the bit made it unforgettable. The reactions from the other characters, particularly the ones pretending not to notice her, made it even funnier. It was one of the best examples of her unmatched skill in physical comedy.
11. The Elevator Operator
This sketch featured Burnett as a chatty, clueless elevator operator who just couldn’t get the timing right. Every time the doors opened, something went wrong—people got stuck, missed their floors, or got trapped between floors. The sketch played out like a perfect mix of slapstick and absurdity, with Burnett’s character completely unaware of how much chaos she was causing. The best part was how she managed to keep a straight face while everyone else struggled not to break character.
Tim Conway, playing one of the unlucky passengers, had some of the best reactions, growing increasingly bewildered as things spiraled out of control. The elevator itself almost became a character, with its unpredictable stops and mechanical failures adding to the comedy. Burnett’s ability to stay in character while causing complete mayhem was incredible. The sketch is still one of the funniest examples of situational comedy ever done on television.
12. The Airline Security Sketch
This classic sketch took place in an airport security checkpoint, where Tim Conway played a hilariously incompetent security officer tasked with screening passengers. As Harvey Korman and Carol Burnett attempted to get through the checkpoint, Conway turned the simplest procedures into an endless ordeal. He wielded a metal detector like a clueless magician, scanning people in the most absurd ways—at one point waving it in circles above Korman’s head with no explanation. Every beep of the detector seemed to confuse Conway more, leading to more unnecessary rescans and delays.
The real magic of this sketch was watching Korman slowly unravel as Conway dragged out the security process longer and longer. At one point, Korman attempted to step forward, only for Conway to abruptly stop him with an unnecessary pat-down that lasted way too long. Burnett, playing a frazzled traveler stuck in line behind him, added to the chaos with her growing impatience and perfectly timed eye-rolls. The sheer absurdity of it all, combined with Korman’s visible struggle to keep from breaking, made this one of the funniest airline-themed sketches ever. It’s a timeless example of The Carol Burnett Show’s ability to turn everyday situations into comedy gold.
13. The Factory Workers
Burnett and Korman played factory workers stuck in a never-ending assembly line, with increasingly ridiculous tasks assigned to them. It was a classic comedy setup—simple, repetitive work slowly turning into complete chaos. The timing was impeccable, with each attempt to keep up with the pace leading to bigger disasters. By the end, the entire factory floor was in shambles, with Korman and Burnett barely holding it together.
The physical comedy was top-notch, with Burnett proving once again why she was one of the greatest comedic actresses of all time. Korman’s exasperation added another layer to the madness, making every mishap even funnier. The sketch was an exaggerated but hilarious take on workplace frustration. It remains one of the show’s funniest moments.
14. 17. The Old Folks on a Bench
One of the longest-running recurring sketches on The Carol Burnett Show was The Old Folks, featuring Carol Burnett and Harvey Korman as a hilariously cranky elderly couple. In this particular sketch, the two sat on a park bench, exchanging barbs about their long, seemingly miserable life together. The beauty of the scene came from the painfully slow-paced conversation, where every line felt like it took a century to get out—but the punchlines always landed perfectly. Korman’s character, always exhausted and resigned, would try to get through the conversation with minimal effort, while Burnett’s nagging old woman delighted in making things as difficult as possible.
The highlight of this sketch came when Burnett’s character, after a long pause, casually dropped a devastatingly sharp insult about her husband’s uselessness, followed by a satisfied smirk. Korman, who had perfected the art of suffering in silence, would just sit there, staring off into the distance, completely defeated. The audience loved the way these two played off each other, proving that sometimes, the funniest moments come from the simplest setups. With their exaggerated slowness and deadpan expressions, Burnett and Korman made aging look both ridiculous and relatable, creating a sketch that remains one of the most beloved in the show’s history.
15. The No-Frills Gas Station
In one of The Carol Burnett Show’s funniest takes on customer service, the No-Frills Gas Station sketch was a perfect example of how the show satirized everyday experiences. Carol Burnett played a weary driver who pulled into a gas station expecting basic service, only to find herself trapped in the most ridiculous, bare-bones operation imaginable. The gas station attendant, played by Harvey Korman, informed her that in their “no-frills” business model, everything—everything—came with an extra charge. Need air in the tires? That’ll cost extra. Want a windshield wiped? That’s a separate fee. Even pumping the gas itself required another outrageous surcharge.
The sketch built into total absurdity when Tim Conway arrived as the station’s manager, offering even fewer frills—basically, a gas station where nothing actually happened unless you paid through the nose for it. As Burnett’s character became increasingly exasperated, Korman and Conway kept piling on more ridiculous charges, completely unfazed by how outrageous they were. The chemistry between the three was perfect, with Burnett delivering the ultimate frustrated-customer performance, Korman playing the smugly indifferent employee, and Conway adding his signature deadpan delivery. The sketch still feels relevant today, especially for anyone who’s ever been nickel-and-dimed at the pump, making it one of the show’s most timeless bits of satire.
The Carol Burnett Show gave us some of the best comedy ever put on television. Whether it was through clever writing, brilliant performances, or spontaneous moments of laughter, the show remains a timeless classic. These sketches prove that great comedy never goes out of style.
